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{
    "id": 833677,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/833677/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 296,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Halake",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13184,
        "legal_name": "Abshiro Soka Halake",
        "slug": "abshiro-soka-halake"
    },
    "content": "to be very prescriptive with regards to prescribing specific ways in which petitions should be conducted. However, with that said, I know that what Sen. Pareno was trying to cure is also the fact that sometimes the reason why things are not actioned is because the knowhow may not be there. Similarly, the capacities are strengthened through making sure that some of these way forwards and frameworks are set. In terms of the limitations and the statement of the legislative powers and limits, I am glad to note that the Bill does not delegate legislative powers and does not limit the fundamental freedoms. If anything, it expands those freedoms and provides a framework where those freedoms can be enacted and exercised by citizens. Madam Temporary Speaker, one of the things that I find important, even in terms of Article 96 – where we are supposed to oversight, legislate and represent the people – is that this Bill provides a very important initiative for doing all the three. In terms of oversight, when people bring to us a petition, we are then able to go to the bottom of what they are complaining about. Similarly, in terms of what they bring to us, we are then able to legislate on their behalf. For that to be done at the local level is a very important path to access the legislative oversight and representation mandate by both Houses at the national and the county levels. A lot has been said about the alternatives to legal and other aspects. What we see here at the Senate with Petitions is because those people have tried everything they can. For example, they are perhaps not able to go to the courts because of lack of finances; or they have gone to the police, but they have not got any help. Therefore, what this provides is to make sure that our citizens have options. If they cannot afford the legal processes or the lawyers; if they cannot get help from the other structures – such as the police or wherever else they would like to take their grievances – then the house of the representatives they elected should then provide them with options. This Bill provides them with exactly that, but at the lowest level of service provision at our county assemblies. Madam Temporary Speaker, I do not wish to repeat what has been said by many of my colleagues. I support this Bill because it is about time that a lot of the things we do in this Senate – be they Petitions, Statements, how we legislate our Bills, how we listen and conduct public participation forums or public hearings – should be cascaded down to our county assemblies. That way, our assemblies and citizens are reached where they live and work. Madam Temporary Speaker, this Bill will facilitate a feedback mechanism. It is not enough to just tell people to bring issues, but with Petitions, you have to investigate, write a report, and give feedback of that report to the House. In that sense then, it provides a very good feedback mechanism. This is where it differentiates itself from any other form and channel of representation, oversight and of providing options to our citizens to bring forward their grievances or whatever it is they would like us to investigate. With those few remarks, Madam Temporary Speaker, I once again congratulate our colleague and beg to support this Bill. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}